The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps servicemembers, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loans
As part of their mission to serve you, the VA provides a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy.
VA loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.
Program benefits
Purchase Loans and Cash-Out Refinance
VA purchase loans help you buy a home at a competitive interest rate, often without requiring a downpayment or private mortgage insurance. Cash out refinance loans allow you to take cash out of your home equity to take care of concerns like paying off debt, funding school, or making home improvements.
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)
Also called the Streamline Refinance Loan, the IRRRL can help you obtain a lower interest rate by refinancing your existing VA loan.
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program
The NADL program helps eligible Native American veterans finance the purchase, construction, or improvement of homes on Federal Trust Land, or reduce the interest rate on a VA loan.
Adapted Housing Grants
Help veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability purchase or build an adapted home or to modify an existing home to account for their disability.
We can help
VA loans aren’t provided by the government, but by private lenders such as banks and mortgage companies. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.
And, even though lenders need to be approved by the department to offer VA home loans, they are under no obligation to provide all VA loan programs that are available (IRRRL, NADL, SAH, SHA, etc).
We’re well aware that navigating VA home loan alternatives can be challenging. So if you’ve got any questions or just want to chat about your options, please contact us. We’re here to help.
Eligibility Requirements
Your length of service or service commitment, duty status and character of service determine your eligibility for specific home loan benefits.
Purchase Loans and Cash-Out Refinance
VA-guaranteed loans are available for homes for your occupancy or a spouse and/or dependent (for active duty service members). To be eligible, you must have satisfactory credit, sufficient income to meet the expected monthly obligations, and a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)
The IRRRL is a “VA to VA” loan, meaning it can only be done if you have an existing VA guaranteed loan on the property. The IRRRL is generally performed to lower the interest and reduce the monthly payment on the existing VA guaranteed loan.
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program
The NADL program helps Native American Veterans purchase, construct, improve, or re-finance a home on Native American trust lands. Your tribal organization must participate in the VA direct loan program. You must have a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Adapted Housing Grants
VA helps Veterans with certain total and permanent disabilities related to your military service obtain suitable housing with either a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.
How to Apply
Purchase Loans and Cash-Out Refinance
VA purchase and cash-out refinance loans are obtained through a lender of your choice once you obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can obtain a COE through eBenefits, by mail, and often through you lender.
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)
A new Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is not required. You may take your Certificate of Eligibility to show the prior use of your entitlement or your lender may use our e-mail confirmation procedure in lieu of a certificate of eligibility.
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program
First, confirm that your tribal organization participates in the VA direct loan program. NADL loans are obtained through a lender of your choice once you obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You can obtain a COE through eBenefits, by mail, and often through you lender.
Adapted Housing Grants
You can apply for an Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant by either downloading and completing VA Form 26-4555 and submitting it to your nearest Regional Loan Center, or completing the online application.